Acute osteomyelitis: epidemiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis and treatment

Background and aims: The present study focuses on the epidemiology, clinical and laboratory data, and management of osteomyelitis in a pediatric third level hospital. Methodology: All cases of children under 15 years-old admitted with osteomyelitis between 2000 and 2011 were retrospectively reviewed until July 2006, then prospectively from then until 2011. Results: A total of 50 patients were identified (52% males) with median age at diagnosis of 2 years. Principal onset manifestations were pain (94%), functional impairment (90%) and fever (72%). The femur (32%), fibula (28%) and calcaneus (22%) were most affected bones. Leucocytosis > 12.000/mu l was found in 56%, elevated ESR > 20 mm/h in 26%, and elevated CRP > 20 mg/L in 64%. Blood culture was positive in 20%, with group A streptococcus being the most frequently isolated bacteria (11%). All diagnoses were confirmed by a Tc-99 scintigraphy bone scan. Antibiotic therapy was initially intravenously (mean time of administration: 10 days +/- 3 SD), followed by oral medication (mean time of administration: 18 days +/- 6 SD). Surgery was necessary in 3 patients. Evolution of all cases was excellent, despite 3 exceptions that resolved over time. Conclusions: The current short-term intravenous therapy led to shorter hospitalizations. There were no statistically significant differences between time from clinical onset or in CRP levels at discharge compared to long-term therapies prior to 2006. (C) 2012 Asociacion Espanola de Pediatria. Published by Elsevier Espana, S.L. All rights reserved.